We go to Copper Beech Middle School, and we are trying to get rid of the Styrofoam trays that are used here everyday. There are 1500 students in
our school and almost everyone uses the trays. We want to switch to trays that are better for the environment, like ones that are made of one of the by
products of sugarcane and other compostable materials.
Problems
Styrofoam is made up of polystyrene, which contains many different chemicals that are very bad for human health and nature. When it comes to humans, the chemicals in Styrofoam can hurt your body. When keeping the food hot or cold some of the chemicals from the Styrofoam leach into the food that will eventually be eaten. Then those chemicals get into our body and which is obviously not healthy. Tons (Literally!) of Styrofoam is thrown out every year which creates a large amount of waste. Just a reminder, one ton is two-hundred pounds. Styrofoam is really light, so that's a lot!!!
Solutions
To start fixing this problem, we were given a sample of trays that are made of the byproduct of sugar cane which will be tested in the near future. Using the trays we have received, 7th graders will have the choice of testing out the new trays instead of using the Styrofoam trays! This will take place on Earth Day 2014.
Results
The amount of trays that we ordered was 400 and 300 trays used. We got awesome feedback from people about what they thought of the trays.
Welcome to Styromania!
The Styrofoam-free planet!
The Downside of Styrofoam Trays
We go to Copper Beech Middle School, and we are trying to get rid of the Styrofoam trays that are used here everyday. There are 1500 students in
our school and almost everyone uses the trays. We want to switch to trays that are better for the environment, like ones that are made of one of the by
products of sugarcane and other compostable materials.
Problems
Styrofoam is made up of polystyrene, which contains many different chemicals that are very bad for human health and nature. When it comes to humans, the chemicals in Styrofoam can hurt your body. When keeping the food hot or cold some of the chemicals from the Styrofoam leach into the food that will eventually be eaten. Then those chemicals get into our body and which is obviously not healthy. Tons (Literally!) of Styrofoam is thrown out every year which creates a large amount of waste. Just a reminder, one ton is two-hundred pounds. Styrofoam is really light, so that's a lot!!!
Solutions
To start fixing this problem, we were given a sample of trays that are made of the byproduct of sugar cane which will be tested in the near future. Using the trays we have received, 7th graders will have the choice of testing out the new trays instead of using the Styrofoam trays! This will take place on Earth Day 2014.
Results
The amount of trays that we ordered was 400 and 300 trays used. We got awesome feedback from people about what they thought of the trays.
Resources
Bioselect
Treecycle
Suburban Carting
SOSnyc.org